KSC Named ECAC Jostens Institution of the Year
The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) has selected Keene State College as the 2005 ECAC Jostens Institution of the Year. The award is presented annually to the ECAC institution that best exemplifies the highest standards of collegiate academics and athletic performance. Established in 1995, the honor has gone previously to Williams College (four times), Princeton University (twice), Middlebury College, Georgetown University, Harvard University, and the University of Maryland.

The award, presented in September in Hyannis, Mass., is given in conjunction with Jostens, the company that produces class rings and other scholastic celebratory items.

"The Keene State College athletic program is a significant point of pride for us all," said Keene State President Helen Giles-Gee. "To reach this level has taken a great deal of work by a remarkable group of coaches and hundreds of dedicated student-athletes, not to mention the many behind-the-scenes participants who give so much to the program."

"Since moving to Division III, Keene State has strived to have one of the top athletic programs in the country," said KSC Athletic Director John Ratliff. "The fact that we are receiving an award of such stature proves we are headed in the right direction."

The ECAC is the nation's largest athletic and the only multi-divisional conference, with 324 colleges and universities in Divisions I, II, and III from Maine to North Carolina.

Alumni Association Presents Awards, Elects OfficersThe Alumni Association honors outstanding Keene State people each year at Reunion Weekend for their career accomplishments and service to the College and the Association. This year four honorees were recognized at the Saturday luncheon.

Dr. Melinda Treadwell '90 received the Alumni Inspiration Award for her excellence in teaching as an assistant (now associate) professor of technology, design and safety at KSC. Melinda has also collaborated with other institutions to bring millions of dollars in grants to Keene State.

Thomas Kearney '69 received the Alumni Achievement Award for his 36-year tenure at the Keene Sentinel, where he rose from a reporter to executive editor.

The Sprague W. Drenan Award, given to an alumnus or alumna whose participation in and support of alumni activities and events is worthy of special recognition, was awarded to Lee McMahon '60 for his six-year service on the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

And Dr. Stanley J. Yarosewick was recognized with the Outstanding Service Award, given to an individual or organization that has provided outstanding service to Keene State.

New Alumni Association officers, chosen by alumni balloting, are David Gagne '73, president (Amherst, N.H.), Charles Zoulias '67, first vice president (Manchester, N.H.), and Jack Griffin '72, second vice president (Concord, N.H.).

A Kiwi Looks Homeward
In the KSC College Relations Office we have learned a good deal these last five years about cricket, Maori culture, and the relative merits of Australia and New Zealand, but now we're losing our source for this knowledge. Dave Orsman, KSC news coordinator and Keene State Today senior writer, is returning to his New Zealand homeland with his wife Dana and cat Tappy. The next issue of the magazine will carry a piece or two by Dave, but by then he'll be enjoying springtime Down Under. We all wish the best of luck to a good writer and friend.

KSC Widens Its Net for TeachersAs the shortage of teachers in New Hampshire nears a crisis point, Keene State has extended its efforts to help adult students become highly qualified, state-certified teachers. A series of open houses on teacher certification took place this summer and will continue monthly through the year to tell prospective teachers about various routes to the profession. Sessions are scheduled for the Wednesdays of October 19, November 16, December 14, and January 4, 7-8:30 p.m. in the Mountain View Room of the Young Student Center.

The open houses, held in Rhodes Hall, highlight the new Summer Teaching Academy, a seminar that offers an intense immersion into the teacher certification program for those meeting qualifications. Also featured are two graduate programs that lead to initial teacher certification for those who hold a bachelor's degree and have experience working with children.

"For many adults, teaching is a deeply rewarding profession," said Peter Tandy, the academic counselor for programs of Advanced Study in Education, who is organizing the open houses. "Keene State is looking for people who can effectively interact with children and youth, have already earned a bachelor's degree, and are willing to work hard."

For more information about the various routes to becoming a teacher, contact Tandy at 603-358-2332.

From Norman Michaud '74: I enjoyed reading your article about Keene rugby. I played with the team pictured on page 14. (I regret that I was not in the picture.) I believe the "unidentified" player is Lee Minnick, (second from right).

Those memories and men are still fond to me. I was Bruce Stephenson's high scoring forward, left prop to Dana Sullivan's right, and Jack Larrareo was our hooker. Jay Crook and Tom Baldwin were second row, Tom on my side of the scrum. Bruce was a great friend and coach. We bought our own shirts, pants, and shoes. We fought and bled together and most games we lost because we could no longer field a team from injury. Romantic times, heroic efforts. Bruce should recall our affectionate visit to Mary Hitchcock after a Dartmouth prop nearly ripped my head off. That prop was sharing the same room. Tough game. I live in Rye, N.H. After grad school at UNH I became a teacher. I am an English teacher and team leader in Kittery, Maine, and have been teaching for 27 years.

From Dana Sullivan '73: I was working at the candy counter at the Student Union one day during my second senior year and this stranger walks up and asks, "Do you know anyone who might be interested in playing rugby?" I thought a while, wondering how to admit I didn't know what the hell rugby was, but I knew it is was something kinda rough. I had nothing to live for anyway, so I grinned and said yeah. That ignorant grin changed my lifestyle for the next 14 years.

I remember the Springfield game too. That same 260-pounder folded me backwards in a scrum and my ribs hurt for weeks. I'll bet Bruce didn't tell you the best part. After the game -– and the party where Bruce taught us a few more things – we were starving and I think a bunch of us loaded up on fried clams for some reason. Our stomachs revolted during the trip home. But when we did get home some of us ran into each other at the dance going on at the Union. We danced in celebration of our survival. The next day there was a pie-eating contest...but that's another story.

Thanks for the great article about the genesis of Keene rugby and its continued thriving.

Where on the Campus?
From time to time, we'd like to test your memory of campus detail. This isn't a sweepstakes with exotic prizes. It's just a chance to see how keen your eye is – and if you can identify certain campus views. The answer will appear on the magazine web site, www.keene.edu/kst, and in the next issue of the magazine. For the opening round, we give you a number: 13.

Line up for Newsline Online
Remember that all the latest KSC news is available 24/7 at www.keene.edu – but sign up for Newsline too. It's the monthly online alert with the latest, breakingest news from Keene State, along with commentary, quizzes, and other special features. Sign up (and read back issues) by clicking the Newsline link at the left on www.keene.edu/alumni.